At HFCA--Global Connections Develop Global Thinkers

Holy Family Catholic Academy's innovative curriculum is grounded in the Inverness school's commitment to connect academic content to authentic, real-world situations. All students master reading, writing, and mathematics, but connecting this learning with the larger world distinguishes life-long learners from those who learn solely for the test.

"As an International Baccalaureate World School (IB), we are always focusing on making connections between subject matter and the world. This approach not only provides students with the "why" we learn concepts, but also promotes what IB refers to as international-mindedness," states Principal Kate O'Brien.

Mrs. Colleen Biere, HFCA's IB Coordinator adds, "As an IB school, our teachers and students are always making connections between life in school, life at home and life in the world. Our goal is for our students to become contributing global citizens. This requires their understanding to go beyond the classroom and beyond the borders of their community."

Making connections is one of many ways HFCA's faculty engages the learners. New units of study are generally introduced by members of the larger community, not the classroom teacher. These introductions are commonly referred to as the "hook." Students learn the need for the study of the topic, analyze the task presented, investigate information, reason and organize their research, and create a final product for their intended audience.

Recently, HFCA's third grade students began studying ecosystems. They learned about ecosystems as diverse and distant as the Amazon Rainforest, the Okavango Delta, and the Great Smoky Mountains. Teacher Ms. Lisa Arthur was excited to learn that the class' study of the Canadian Arctic Tundra coincided with the annual polar bear migration currently taking place in Manitoba, Canada. Rather than reading about this event in a text book, these students were able to take a virtual field trip and witness scientists from Polar Bears International observe as the migration was actually happening.

Witnessing the event in real-time was not lost on the students. Third grader, Owen Breslin explained, "Our virtual field trip to the Canadian Tundra was really cool and interesting. Instead of reading about the polar bears, we felt like we were right there because tracking the migration was happening at that very moment!"

HFCA's virtual field trip led students to a greater understanding of the complex and interdependent world in which they live. Concludes Ms. Arthur, who has taught in several IB schools around the world, "At HFCA, our goal is to engage students to become more internationally minded by expanding their learning outside of the classroom. This is just one of the many reasons teaching at HFCA is so rewarding."